Quick Hit

Disney has dropped its lawsuits against the DeSantis-backed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, ending a legal battle over the corporation's self-governing status in Florida. 

Key Details

• Disney's lawsuits were in response to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' legislation that nullified the corporation's self-governing status in the state.
• The Reedy Creek Improvement District had previously granted Disney full control of development rights and privileges, a move DeSantis argued was filled with legal issues.
• A federal judge dismissed Disney's lawsuit in January, ruling that the corporation "lacks standing" to sue the DeSantis administration.

Diving Deeper

The legal dispute between Disney and the DeSantis-backed Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has been a contentious issue since its inception. The Reedy Creek Improvement District had initially granted Disney full control of development rights and privileges, a move that was later challenged by DeSantis. The governor argued that the arrangement was filled with legal issues and wasn't formed with the appropriate notice.

In response, Disney launched a lawsuit against DeSantis, accusing him of a "targeted campaign of government retaliation". The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board retaliated with a lawsuit of their own, further escalating the dispute. However, a federal judge dismissed Disney's lawsuit in January, ruling that the corporation "lacks standing" to sue the DeSantis administration.

With Disney now dropping its lawsuits, the corporation is conceding that the last-minute agreements are "null and void," according to the National Review. "No corporation should be its own government," DeSantis spokesman Bryan Griffin stated, signaling a shift in the relationship between Disney and the state of Florida.

This development marks a significant turning point in the feud that began in 2022 when Disney announced opposition to DeSantis' Parental Rights in Education Bill. The corporation called for the law's repeal, citing it as discriminatory. The dropping of the lawsuits signifies a new chapter of constructive engagement between Disney and the district, with the potential for significant continued investment and job creation in Florida.